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PatchFest Backend Starter 🚀

This project is a simple backend API starter created for IEEE PatchFest.
It provides a clean and minimal foundation that contributors can build on during the event.

Instead of creating a full application beforehand, this repository gives participants:

  • a working backend,
  • a clear folder structure,
  • and a list of issues that describe exactly what needs to be built next.

This helps contributors practice real-world backend development in a structured way.

📌 What This Project Is

This project is a Node.js + Express backend with only the essential setup included.

Right now, it contains:

  • A minimal Express server
  • A /health API route that returns { ok: true }
  • A clean folder structure (src/server.js)
  • Multiple issues describing the next steps

It is NOT a finished project.
It is only the foundation that participants will extend during PatchFest.

🎯 Purpose of the Project

The goal of this backend starter is to help PatchFest participants:

  • Learn how backend APIs work
  • Understand GitHub workflows (issues, branches, PRs)
  • Build real features step-by-step
  • Collaborate in an open-source environment

This project gives everyone — beginners and advanced — meaningful tasks to work on.

🚀 What This Backend Will Become

By the end of PatchFest, contributors will turn this starter into a functional backend API system with:

  • ✔ CRUD routes (create, read, update, delete data)
  • ✔ A storage layer (JSON or database)
  • ✔ Input validation
  • ✔ Error handling
  • ✔ Logging system
  • ✔ Rate limiting
  • ✔ A /metrics endpoint
  • ✔ API documentation (Swagger/OpenAPI)
  • ✔ Automated tests and CI workflows

Each of these features will be added through the issues already listed in this repository.

🧱 How the Project Works

The backend runs on Express.js and is structured like this: patchfest/ │ ├── src/ │ └── server.js # Main backend server file │ ├── package.json # Dependencies and scripts └── README.md # Documentation

Key Components:

  • src/server.js → The main server file where API routes will be added
  • /health → A simple route to verify the server is running
  • Issues → The list of tasks contributors can complete
  • README → The guide for running and understanding the project

🚀 How to Run the Project

  1. Install dependencies: npm install

  2. Start the server: npm start

  3. Open the health check endpoint: http://localhost:3000/health

If you see: { "ok": true } the backend is running successfully.

🤝 How to Contribute

  1. Go to the Issues tab
  2. Choose an issue you want to work on
  3. Comment: “I want to work on this”
  4. Create a new branch
  5. Write the code for the issue
  6. Open a Pull Request
  7. After review, your changes will be merged

This workflow teaches open-source collaboration.

🗂️ Roadmap

  • Add CRUD API routes
  • Add JSON/database storage layer
  • Add input validation
  • Add proper error handling
  • Add logging
  • Add rate limiting
  • Add metrics endpoint
  • Add API documentation
  • Add automated tests
  • Improve developer documentation

🎉 Why This Project Is Perfect for PatchFest

  • Easy to understand
  • Beginner-friendly
  • Designed specifically for contributions
  • Minimal setup so everyone can build
  • Clear issues guide all development steps

This project will grow through teamwork, learning, and collaboration during PatchFest.